Bloodbath on Destino 1

As 018M42 drew to a close, the siege of Destino 1 continued. Inquisitor Hathek had been unable to convince Sector fleet commander Bova Magnus to send a significant naval force to Destino. Magnus was unwilling to risk a fleet engagement with the Mallem Cybixxum with the imperial forces already stretched across the sector. It was the safe option, but since the loss of Admiral Jellicoe at Glaurung many felt the imperial fleet had lost its bottle. 

The Imperial defenders at Destino, now convinced the Archmagos was a heretic, were not willing to give up their fortified base on the innermost planet. If Cybixx wanted the system, he would need to pay the price, or destroy the world. However the Novgorod commander soon found out that the Grey Knights were still fighting for Cybixx, when they launched their own assault on 2812.018M42. 

Inquisitor Rex knew full well of Cybixx’s heresy, but for now the defeat of the imperium at Destino suited his aims. If Cybixx claimed the system he would control the Foramen Minoris. This he would then fail to destroy as per his orders from Lord Inquisitor Vorushko, revealing himself as a traitor to all. Hathek and Vorushko would be in agreement with the Grey Knights, and finally the inquisition war would come to an end, and Luthor and Magnus would not deny three inquisitors the means to destroy the Archmagos’ pocket empire. 

So the astartes of the Ordo Malleus launches their assault on the primary defence shield generator. Here they found the defenders almost fanatical in their zeal, as Novgorod infantry and imperial cultists threw themselves at the Grey Knights. It was with some regret that the Space Marines were savagely mown down by superior firepower, but there was no way to explain to them the greater plan. Their sacrifice was necessary to defeat Cybixx. 

The brutal battle became a blood bath, as the Novgorod exacted a high price for the defence shield positions. However, after several hours of protracted fighting the massacre of the imperial guard was complete, and the Grey Knights destroyed the defensive installation before withdrawing. Rex continued to keep faith with his plan, although some of his lieutenants now questioned the continuing ruse.